Expressions

Bylines with Deccan Chronicle

It was one of my best experiences working on the jasmine story. It was a great journey along with my friend Xciba Angel who captured brilliant pictures of farmers, vendors and people who make a living with Jasmine flowers.

Hearing stories of little girls who dream of becoming engineers and police officers unaware of their family’s economic condition, was heart touching. India is a farming country in reality. We are gifted with perennial rivers and hardworking men. But, these common men of the country are the one’s who sell their lands to make do loss and move to urbanization in search of livelihood. This story that talks about the plight of Jasmine farmers is close to my heart for many reasons.

A special thanks to Xciba Angel for her company, support and great photos! Check out the e-copy attached below to see the photos.

One of the farmers from Gummidipoondi in Chennai, Munnusamy’s daughter Uma dreams of becoming a police officer. She travels five kilometers and goes to the government school in Thavarapettai after picking flowers in her father’s farm till 8 am.

They use chemical pesticides and fertilizers. “There is a burning sensation on our body for almost three hours after we spray the pesticide but nothing happens after that,” said another K.Munnusamy who has planted marigolds in his field. “Organic methods are there but they will not bring good yield. Not with all these factories and pollution around the farm,” he said.

The farms are irrigated through wells and bore water through cannels. “We incur around 2 lakh rupees expense to install bore wells and pumps for a land. Over that it takes another 1 lakh to obtain electricity. If we pay one lakh we can get it in a month or so; if we go for the Rs. 50,000 service we will get electricity only after six months or a year. Another few thousands have to be paid under the desk to get the work done,” said a farmer. They find it difficult as no loans are sanctioned to them. Many sold their lands and moved into the city for industry work. K.Munnusamy planted jasmines in 110 cents of his land last April and incurred a loss of 1.5 lakhs because of flowers that came to the markets from other parts of the state like Hosur. “I had three acres land 10 years ago, now I have barely half an acre,” he said. They sell their lands to make do losses.

Behind every strand of flowers that comes to the market there is a story of uncertainty and indigence of farmers.

A real time reporting experience! Talking to people on the road, visiting banks, researching online. I say, “Akka, I am from Deccan Chronicle newspaper,” to a street seller and she says,”I don’t know what that is, I dont sell all that. Go away!” Explain, sit down, buy the stuff they sell, smile and they have so much to tell you and ask you. Journalism is the art of voicing the troubles and needs of the ones who actually need the voice.

The insurance and pension schemes introduced by Prime Minister Modi are good schemes indeed. But when people barely even know what the meaning and value of “social security” is? What kind of awareness do people of India need?

Schools that take up such lovely initiatives are driving the students in the right path. It was exciting to see rooftop gardens being catered to by young minds. This paves way to practical learning and real awareness.

It was a real experience covering the profile story of this man who passed away in an accident in Chennai. A rod from the metro bridge construction fell off and landed on this motorist who died on the spot. With deep condolences, I approached the family who despite their grief spoke to me. They said, “Such carelessness should not kill another son.”